Swelling or Sagging in Jowl Area After Facelift?

I am six weeks out from face lift and submentoplasty. Swelling in jowl area is starting to recede and now one side seems to be sagging. How can I tell if this is swelling/puffiness from the surgery or if it is a return of jowl sagging where it wasn't totally corrected. Will the skin tighten when the swelling subsides?

Doctor Answers 6

Face lift swelling / jowls returning after 6 weeks

January 12th, 2012

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This is not uncommon after 6 weeks. At this point you likely have around 60% of your healing. We usually tell people that they will have 60% of their healing / recovery complete by 6 weeks, 80-90% by 6 months. 100% can take as long as 2 years. This is based on wound healing studies and tensile breaking strength of a heal wound.

The recurring jowls could be swelling that could subside but it could be the recurrence of the jowling. There are many factors that lead to recurrence or longevity of your face and neck lift. If it is hard and slightly tender could be swelling that could subside. If it is soft and it could be the recurrence. I would have to see it for myself. I would consult with your physician to see what the next steps are. There are ways to help your swelling. We have a nice page on that below.

Swelling or residual jowls after a facelift

June 3rd, 2010

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It is too early to say at six weeks whether or not jowls are present or if there is just fluid retention in the jowl area. It is best to wait at least three to four months before making any final determinations if any revision facelift needed to further tighten the jowls.

Facelift should last a long time

May 13th, 2010

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Depends on what type of procedure you had done. If it was a "quickie" lift, going by various names, the results could be less than ideal. If it was a traditional facelift, several layer, performed by a reputable plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of PLastic Surgery, the results should last quite a long time and surely not this short.

Depends on how your facelift was done

Depending on the technique used for your facelift you may still find that there is swelling which will subside.

However, if there is still significant jowling after 6 weeks, it may be that enough was not done to correct the jowling in the first place.

At this point and depending on your level of confidence in your surgeon, you should see your surgeon in your regularly appointed visits to see what they recommend. If you are not getting the answers you need, you may then want to consider a second opinion in a few moths.

Swelling after a Facelift

May 11th, 2010

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Hi ,

Swelling 6 weeks after a facelift is unusual. Although occasionally one may have some residual clotted blood that may cause this. The swelling is usually associated with bruising. At this point your skin will not tighten but continue to loosen as the tissues relax.

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